3 years ago.....

a little princess joined the ranks of the Porterfields. She took a long time to decide she even wanted to get created. After Daniel was born, we had some turmoil about whether to even have more children. I had originally wanted seven (because I was apparently on the CRACK), four girls and three boys. Sure that was gonna happen! LOL

So after Daniel turned two, we just let nature take its course. If we were blessed with another child we would be grateful. If not, we would be thankful for the ones we had.

Because I had Cory so early in life and Daniel was born one month shy of our 1st year anniversary I felt like I had my answer after a year of "waiting" with no result. So I enrolled in college, another of my lifelong goals I had yet to get around to. It should really have come as no surprise when after the end of the first semester I was pregnant. I had a hunch it was possible and on January 1st, 2004 April and I went shopping. I bought a test but couldn't wait to get home. I found out in the Kohl's restroom in Charleston. So I bought a card and put the test in a bag and took it home to Ted.

The next nine months were full of double cheeseburgers and fries. I loathe McDonald's as a personal choice, but my girl couldn't get enough. Another round of placenta previa to keep me alert and then the news that she was a SHE. Now I love my boys, but I had always wanted a girl. My aunt Suzie had five boys when she wished for one, so my relief was palatable.

Fast forward--- a few weeks before Aurelia was born Ted transferred within his company to be closer to home. His transfer took him to an outside job and required he go to some training out of town. So the doctor scheduled her to be induced on Thursday, August 26, 2004. I felt guilty, but it was a mere one week before her "due date". That also happened to be the first day of school that year. My mom took the older kids to school while Ted and I made our way to the hospital. Everything went well during the day aside from a nurse who was fairly stingy with the stanol/stadol (never sure which). She was delivered facing the ceiling (apparently the cause of all that unfamiliar pain). She was so tiny. Just 6 lbs. 8 oz.

Now she is a big girl. She pees in the potty, sleeps in a big girl bed, eats by herself, and doesn't "really" need me much anymore. But when it comes down to being with me or being alone, she chooses me. I like that.

Happy Birthday, Aurelia Elizabeth Porterfield.

You are loved.